Fitchburg Longsjo Classic to Return in 2013

Anthem Sports of Cambridge, NY and the Art Longsjo Foundation announce a preliminary agreement to bring the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic cycling race back to the calendar for American cycling for 2013 and beyond. Anthem Sports – organizers of the popular Tour of the Battenkill in Cambridge, NY – are to add the event to their Stan’s Notubes Great American Cycling Series. The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic is the 2nd oldest road cycling event in the US, though it suffered cancellations in 2011 and 2012. After several years under the Fitchburg Cycling Club, the newly formed Art Longsjo Foundation will revive the event under the leadership of Executive Director and Longsjo nephew Jason Longsjo. The event is scheduled for June 28-30, 2013

The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic has typically drawn more than 700 amateurs and the nation’s top professionals each year. It was founded in 1960 in the memory of legendary cyclist and Olympian Art Longsjo of Fitchburg who represented the United States at the 1956 winter and summer Olympics in both speed skating and cycling.

Art Longsjo Foundation Executive Director Jason Longsjo is happy to take the reins of the event going forward.

“We are very excited to bring the event back with the help of tremendous local support and the experts at Anthem Sports,” said Jason Longsjo. “The race will continue to be a tribute to my uncle and to the stories of him that my family and the cycling community enjoy.”

“Leominster is so excited to be bringing the Longsjo Classic to our downtown,” said Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella. “Having a multi-community event not only unites the region but will give us an opportunity to have individual events at each location. In Leominster, we will be incorporating a health and wellness fair which will help celebrate all that is great about the world of cycling. We can’t wait to expand this historic event to our City.”

Dieter Drake, President of Anthem Sports, hopes to make a positive contribution to the legacy of the event.

“We’re honored to be a part of the tradition of this event. We’ll strive to capture and promote its history while we make it exciting and interesting for participants, spectators, and the communities it will engage.”

The event will continue as a stage race and will add a non-competitive ‘gran fondo’ challenge ride on Saturday, June 29 for recreational cyclists on a popular training route of Art Longsjo’s, finishing at one of the competitive venues. The cities of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Worcester have expressed support to host stages in 2013. Stage details will be formulated and announced over the next few months.

The event will be the 4th of 9 events on the Stan’s Notubes Great American Cycling Series. For more information, see www.greatamericancycling.com

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